Nash not planning on retiring soon

[Irish]

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/127515

Suns notebook: Nash not planning on retiring soon

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Jerry Brown, Tribune

Grant Hill celebrated his 36th birthday with the final two-a-day workout of training camp that included a public scrimmage Sunday night at US Airways Center.

Meanwhile, Steve Nash is just four months away from turning 35. But the two-time MVP has no plans to hang up his sneakers in the near future.
Nash, who has an all-but-guaranteed team option for next season, said he knows he wants to play two more seasons beyond that contract — which would take him through the 2011-12 season and his 38th birthday — and he might play longer if he still feels healthy and passionate about the game.

“I know I want to play four more years. That’s my goal, to sign another two-year contract. After that, I’ll evaluate where I am and how I feel,” Nash said. “I know I feel great right now and I think I have a lot left.”
Nash said the Suns haven’t come to him to talk about any contract extension, which is understandable since they haven’t officially exercised the option for next season. But $7.5 million of the $13.125 million he is due is already guaranteed whether he plays or not, so barring any serious injury, that figures to be a slam dunk.

Nash said his preference would be to continue and even complete his career in Phoenix. “My number one priority would be to stay here, but I’ll think more about that when the time comes.”

 

[Mainstreet]

“I know I want to play four more years. That’s my goal, to sign another two-year contract. After that, I’ll evaluate where I am and how I feel,” Nash said. “I know I feel great right now and I think I have a lot left”....

Nash said his preference would be to continue and even complete his career in Phoenix. “My number one priority would be to stay here, but I’ll think more about that when the time comes.”

This would make me very happy so I hope it happens. I always thought Nash would have to transition his game into a more John Stockton type style. This is a rare area I can agree with those fans who disliked parts of D'Antoni's style of play. I think D'Antoni would have shortened Nash's career by pushing him too hard in the regular season.

 

[nowagimp]

This would make me very happy so I hope it happens. I always thought Nash would have to transition his game into a more John Stockton type style. This is a rare area I can agree with those fans who disliked parts of D'Antoni's style of play. I think D'Antoni would have shortened Nash's career by pushing him too hard in the regular season.

Did stockton have a spinal condition while starting at PG? Its amazing that Nash is still competing at a high level at 35 years old. I suppose Nash wouldnt mind having Karl malone to hard screen his man to set him free, or just to ring his defenders bell a few times a game. I dont think I've ever seen nashs man get screened hard. I'll go even further, Ive never seen amare set a hard screen on nashs man. Perhaps nash could play more like stockton, but amare is no malone in the screen and roll. Opposing teams have targeted nash for a beating and the suns never reciprocated by screening his defender hard. Perhaps this is an area that could be looked at, though sending your gimpy prized PF to set hard screens might lead to an injury that would be regrettable. Make no mistake about it, John stocktons man was ALWAYS worried that he would be hammered by a screen. And nobody in that era set a harder screen -and got away with it- than Karl Malone.

 

[Mainstreet]

Did stockton have a spinal condition while starting at PG?

Could very well be. I believe Stockton seen a chiropractor periodically for spinal alignments. However, doesn't Steve Nash have some sign type of back alignment problem as well. I forget what they call it. It would be interesting to know if Nash has the same type of back ailment as Stockton.

 

[nowagimp]

Could very well be. I believe Stockton seen a chiropractor periodically for spinal alignments. However, doesn't Steve Nash have some sign type of back alignment problem as well. I forget what they call it. It would be interesting to know if Nash has the same type of back ailment as Stockton.

My bad, I though you new that nash has a back condition and stockton didnt. Frankly, what nash has already accomplished is amazing given his condition, spondylosos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylosis

Surely expecting him to be a stockton in his late 30's with that condition is a reach.

 

[msdundee]

My bad, I though you new that nash has a back condition and stockton didnt. Frankly, what nash has already accomplished is amazing given his condition, spondylosos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylosis

Surely expecting him to be a stockton in his late 30's with that condition is a reach.

Steve has spondylolisthesis, a totally different condition.

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/mvpworkout_071107.html

 

[Mainstreet]

My bad, I though you new that nash has a back condition and stockton didnt. Frankly, what nash has already accomplished is amazing given his condition, spondylosos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spondylosis

Surely expecting him to be a stockton in his late 30's with that condition is a reach.

Actually I did know Nash had a back condition but I couldn't remember the name. However, as I understand it, John Stockton used chiropractors to help prolong his career. However, conjecturing they might have the same type back problem was a reach on my part. I'm sure a lot of NBA players see chiropractors. I would love to have Nash play for the next four years and that would put him at 39. He apparently believes he can do it.

 

[Irish]

We are probably talking about Nash on a year to year basis, so the gamble won't be that big. Reggie Miller played a long time, Stockton played until he was 40, and I'm sure there are others. A key is they did not play the kind of minutes when in their prime.

I think it is curious that Nash was talking about two more years after playing with Dragic and in the new offense. Sounds like he thinks he may last longer.

 

[okhoops]

There is no doubt that Nash can be productive into his late 30s, especially now that the NBA allows zones. Like Stockton, he's a cerebral player more than a physically dominant one. The heady types tend to last a little longer.

 

[LV-Suns]

Nash for the vet minimum.

 

[Irish]

Nash for the vet minimum.

Next year Nash gets $13+ million. I don't think he'll settle for vet min, but he has made a bunch and is likely to be "reasonable".

 

[leclerc]

Two thumbs up for the hard screen. Pops hound Nash tactics (have his thugs hit him in the man area) must be countered!

 

[dodie53]

nash for the MLE

 

[Irish]

2010 will be interesting. If Nash gets an MLE or less and Shaq gets a smallish contract (compared to $20 million), the team will be out of LT area, but not with enough cap room to make a splash in free agency.

A lot depends on how this team develops. The money might be better spent on keeping their own guys like Lopez, Dragic, Tucker,and Barnes (shades of Danny Manning) while focusing on getting a generic MLE guy rather than chasing a high priced star. IMHO, the bidding war for guys like LeBron are going to get ridiculous, but will actually make the mid level guys more affordable.

 

[Mainstreet]

Here is a link to an Arizona Republic article written by Paul Coro dated October 6th, 2008 relating Nash possibly playing to 2012. It may have already been posted but here is what caught my attention.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2008/10/06/20081006sunsnash1007.html

It was as if the Steve Nash retirement ceremony plans were under way the moment the Suns landed Goran Dragic, Nash's heir apparent.

Until Suns broadcast analyst Scott Williams asked Nash last week about his plans beyond his current contract, many had begun to assume Dragic would take over for Nash in 2010.

Nash's plan is to play through 2012, at least.

Looking to the future, if Dragic becomes the PG everyone hopes he can become I think this fits well with Nash's prolonged retirement plans. I would really like the Suns run a two PG system similar to what they ran in Detroit with Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas. Both could start and Nash could still get the rest he needs.

 

[nowagimp]

There is no doubt that Nash can be productive into his late 30s, especially now that the NBA allows zones. Like Stockton, he's a cerebral player more than a physically dominant one. The heady types tend to last a little longer.

I am a big steve nash fan, both he and stockton are/were cerebral players. But alot of people dont know how fast stockton was off the dribble. His first few steps were quite fast, he would leave a terry porter in the dust. He also used a really abrupt hesitation move. In speed, stockton had it over nash. Where nash is unusual is that his ambidexterity passing/ plus some of the best vision ever, and continual awareness of floor spacing was/is unsurpassed. I still think stockton gets the nod as having a better career, but MVsteve put together 3 years of some of the best PG play ever.

 

[Mainstreet]

I am a big steve nash fan, both he and stockton are/were cerebral players. But alot of people dont know how fast stockton was off the dribble. His first few steps were quite fast, he would leave a terry porter in the dust. He also used a really abrupt hesitation move. In speed, stockton had it over nash. Where nash is unusual is that his ambidexterity passing/ plus some of the best vision ever, and continual awareness of floor spacing was/is unsurpassed. I still think stockton gets the nod as having a better career, but MVsteve put together 3 years of some of the best PG play ever.

John Stockton had one big plus over Steve Nash, Karl Malone. Stockton did not have to dribble into the lane and try to create by passing the ball back out. I'm not saying Nash is better, I'm just saying Stockton did not have to take the pounding Nash does.

 

[nowagimp]

John Stockton had one big plus over Steve Nash, Karl Malone. Stockton did not have to dribble into the lane and try to create by passing the ball back out. I'm not saying Nash is better, I'm just saying Stockton did not have to take the pounding Nash does.

Agreed, Karl malone on the pick and roll was feared in the NBA for his physical play. Nobody pushed malone around, nobody, and just ask isiah thomas how his elbows worked in intimidating the opposition. Like I said previously, a Karl Malone screen not only worked, it hurt. But I remember stocktons speed, without a handcheck(when they suspended the rule) he ate up MJ or Pip off the dribble at 30+? years old. they changed that rule back in a hurry as I recall, probably didnt want to see that little guy kill the great MJ off the dribble.

 

[Irish]

Malone was good at the pick and roll, but I'd say Amare is more explosive. Malone was a great low post guy, so many of his shots were back to basket moves and he had a great turnaround jumper.

An incredible number of Amare's points are from Nash's in the paid pick and roll plays; This draws lots of defenders because no one can stop it with just two guys. But it really attracts thugs onto Nash.

 

[nowagimp]

Malone was good at the pick and roll, but I'd say Amare is more explosive. Malone was a great low post guy, so many of his shots were back to basket moves and he had a great turnaround jumper.

An incredible number of Amare's points are from Nash's in the paid pick and roll plays; This draws lots of defenders because no one can stop it with just two guys. But it really attracts thugs onto Nash.

Amare is a better finisher around the hoop, but I know who I would want to set a pick for me, no contest there at all, none! The big man can do alot to protect his PG, amare does little. Imagine how bowen would feel if he knew malone was going to hard screen him at any time.

 

[nashman]

Well we shall see how long Nash wants to play under this new system. If he takes a pounding and is not successful under Porter who sounds like we are going to play halfcourt ball with him calling in plays everytime down the floor. To me its easy to say Nash may not like that at all especially if he is physically knocked around and may just not be fun for him to do like the run n gun. We shall see, I will however say that I am not real excited to see our team totally change the way we play doesn't seem like we have the players to play thug ball, yuck. I was afraid of this but yet Kerr and Porter said oh no we are not going to change the way we play...and its pretty clear they are totally changing it. One thing is for sure if it doesn't work Kerr had better be gone or they may lose alot of season ticket holders, I know I would be pissed right now if I had shelled out as much money for season tickets and find out now oh yeah we are not going to play fun bball no more we are going halfcourt...they had better win!

 

[Mainstreet]

Well we shall see how long Nash wants to play under this new system. If he takes a pounding and is not successful under Porter who sounds like we are going to play halfcourt ball with him calling in plays everytime down the floor. To me its easy to say Nash may not like that at all especially if he is physically knocked around and may just not be fun for him to do like the run n gun. We shall see, I will however say that I am not real excited to see our team totally change the way we play doesn't seem like we have the players to play thug ball, yuck. I was afraid of this but yet Kerr and Porter said oh no we are not going to change the way we play...and its pretty clear they are totally changing it. One thing is for sure if it doesn't work Kerr had better be gone or they may lose alot of season ticket holders, I know I would be pissed right now if I had shelled out as much money for season tickets and find out now oh yeah we are not going to play fun bball no more we are going halfcourt...they had better win!

The thing I worry about the most with the new changes is increased practice time. I think Porter is going to have to make some accomodations or else face some player revolt down the line. These Suns are used to limited practice minutes under D'Antoni so they had fresh legs for the games. I think the primary thing wrong with the previous Suns was their inability to play tough defense for the final 5-10 minutes at the end of each half. IMO, if the Suns had just changed this, they would have been a much improved team.

 

[Irish]

Porter played late into his career, so I'd guess this issue of not over practicing older players has come up before. But considering that the Spurs are older than Suns, I am curious how they handle it.

My guess is that nobody is going to complain because the ANSWER is fewer minutes on the floor during games..

 

[nashman]

The thing I worry about most is not being able to watch Suns games. Its sounds like Porter is making us a half court team with called plays from him, god I hope he doesn't screw up what WAS the most enjoyable team to watch in the NBA.

 

[nowagimp]

My guess is that nobody is going to complain because the ANSWER is fewer minutes on the floor during games..

I disagree on this one. Older players recover slower, thats why they do poorly in back to backs. Vigorous practices along with games keep older players in a state of continuous fatigue, very bad in a long season. Grant Hill said as much when he came to the suns, not enough recovery time with tough practices AND games. As the body ages, the accumulation of lactic acid in muscle tissue is a problem, more recovery(time off from exertion) is required to get back. This is where porter will have a problem with vets, as the vets become fatigued, they will begin to resent his practice regimen. I suspect that Nash, shaq, hill, and bell will all be effected. these are key players, so if they become fatigued, the suns will look sluggish in games. Back to backs will already be a problem for these guys(perhaps even Bell), add in some tough practices and it could hurt more than help.